Differences and Similarities between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

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Kai Ken Versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Kai Ken and for the Neapolitan Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Kai Ken or the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Kai Ken belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Neapolitan Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kai Ken to the Neapolitan Mastiff based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff

Factor Kai Ken Neapolitan Mastiff
Life Span 12 to 16 years 8 to 10 years
Height 17 to 22 inches 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 120 to 200 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 9.0 years
Price Range No Data $1800 – $3700
Average Price No Data $2870
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 66.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kai Ken in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Neapolitan Mastiff. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Kai Ken is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kai Ken is a better pet than the Neapolitan Mastiff. So, you should get the Kai Ken!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are most different:

  • Kai Kens do not have the tendency to drool. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Kai Kens can tolerate cold weather. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Kai Kens do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Kai Kens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff

    The Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Neapolitan Mastiffs weigh 120 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Neapolitan Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Neapolitan Mastiffs is 9.0 years.

    Kai Kens live longer than Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Kai Ken Versus the Neapolitan Mastiff

    The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Neapolitan Mastiff is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Neapolitan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 1 Kai Kens and 15 Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Health Problems of Kai Ken versus Health Problems of Neapolitan Mastiff

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Neapolitan Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Neapolitan Mastiff than for the Kai Ken.

    2 health tests are recommended for Kai Ken while 4 tests are recommended for the Neapolitan Mastiff.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kai Kens and in Neapolitan Mastiffs.

    Kai Ken Health Problems

    Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Kai Kens for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.

    Neapolitan Mastiff Health Problems

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Neapolitan Mastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Neapolitan Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Neapolitan Mastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Neapolitan Mastiffs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Neapolitan Mastiffs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kai Kens shed more than Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Neapolitan Mastiff

    Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Neapolitan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Kai Kens and Neapolitan Mastiffs?

    Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Neapolitan Mastiff?

    Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Neapolitan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kai Ken:

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Kishu Ken (79 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Neapolitan Mastiff vs Kishu Ken.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Neapolitan Mastiff:

  • Doberman Pinscher (67 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Doberman Pinscher.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Mastiff.
  • Spanish Mastiff (69 percent match with Neapolitan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Kai Ken and how the Neapolitan Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kai Ken and of the Neapolitan Mastiff to other breeds:

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Finnish Spitz     Kai Ken versus Boerboel     Kai Ken versus Boston Terrier     Kai Ken versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Kai Ken versus Carolina Dog     Kai Ken versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Kai Ken versus Pyredoodle     Kai Ken versus Canaan Dog     Kai Ken versus Jack Russell Terrier     Kai Ken versus Clumber Spaniel     Kai Ken versus Labradoodle     Kai Ken versus Golden Retriever     Kai Ken versus Bernedoodle     Kai Ken versus Newfoundland     Kai Ken versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Kai Ken versus Saluki     Kai Ken versus Dogo Argentino     Kai Ken versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Kai Ken versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Kai Ken versus Golden Retriever     Kai Ken versus Leonberger     Kai Ken versus Labrador Retriever     Kai Ken versus Shiloh Shepherd     Kai Ken versus Bracco Italiano     Kai Ken versus Peek A Poo     

    Neapolitan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Neapolitan Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Shepherd Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Xoloitzcuintli     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog     Neapolitan Mastiff versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Toy Poodle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus West Highland White Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Samoyed     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Skye Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Morkie     Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Longhaired Pointer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Sheepadoodle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus German Pinscher     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Shih Tzu     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Cavapoo     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Plott     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Papipoo     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Swedish Vallhund     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Labrador Retriever     Neapolitan Mastiff versus American Hairless Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Irish Terrier     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Puggle     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Standard Schnauzer     Neapolitan Mastiff versus Lhasa Apso     

    Conclusion: Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Kai Ken and the Neapolitan Mastiff better suits you and your family.